Written by Katia Ramadori, Four Green Steps

On Tuesday July 17^th, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced that they are predicting unhealthy air quality for southern portions of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and the south coast of Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the Islands. This prediction comes from the increase in ground-level ozone.

Curt Spalding, Administrator of EPA’s New England office stated that, “As this hazy, hot and humid weather continues, we predict air quality to reach unhealthy levels in parts of New England. Everybody can help reduce ozone by driving less, using public transportation and setting air conditioner thermostats a few degrees higher.”

High ozone layers are dangerous because they can cause breathing problems, aggravate asthma and make people more susceptible to respiratory infections. The EPA also suggests that people, especially children and adults with respiratory problems, should refrain from strenuous outdoor activities while ozone levels are elevated.

The majority of pollution that creates ozone comes from cars, buses, and trucks. Therefore the EPA suggests public transportation, carpooling, and/or combining trips to help reduce ozone. Another way to help is by turning up you air conditioning a few degrees. Also try to avoid gasoline stations, print shops, household products like paints and cleaners, as well as lawn and garden equipment during elevated ozone because they all significantly add to the ozone problem.

EPA and the New England states provide real-time ozone data and air quality forecasts at Epa.gov/ne/aqi

Image courtesy of Creative Commons.

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